COVID-19 Vaccine
Nova Scotians are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as they can, and to receive further doses as soon as they are eligible to ensure maximum protection against COVID-19. Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 vaccination plan has followed a phased approach to bring primary series and booster doses to Nova Scotians.
A primary series is an initial series of vaccinations designed to give you protection against a disease. For COVID-19 this is typically two doses, but people with compromised immune systems require a third dose to complete their primary series. Children who receive the Pfizer Infant vaccine will require a three dose primary series, and four doses if they have compromised immune systems.
Booster doses help maintain and lengthen your level of protection, as immunity may decrease over time. Public Health recommends that all eligible Nova Scotians get their next dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Who is eligible for a dose at this time?
- Anyone who is 6 months and older is eligible for a primary series.
- People aged 5 to 11 who have completed their primary series are eligible for a booster if they have not already received one.
- People aged 12 years and over who have completed their primary series are eligible for a booster if they have not already received one since September 19, 2022.
- People at highest risk (see below) are eligible for a spring dose (additional booster dose).
Spring Dose Eligibility
The following people at highest risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should get a spring dose if their last dose was more than 6 months ago (168 days):
- People aged 80 years and older
- People 18 years and older living in long-term care or nursing homes, seniors congregate living settings, or residential care facilities
- People aged 18 years and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised
- People aged 65-79 years, without a known history of COVID-19 infection
- People of African descent and First Nations people aged 50-79 years and older, without a known history of COVID-19 infection
All people of African descent and First Nations people ages 50-79, and all people ages 65-79, can consider getting a spring dose 6 months after their last dose, especially those who haven’t yet had COVID-19. Those who have had COVID-19 and have already been vaccinated may have stronger, longer lasting protection against COVID-19.
Those who are eligible can receive the spring dose until June 30, 2023. If you do not receive the spring dose before the end of June, you will need to wait until the fall for your next dose so you have better protection during respiratory illness season.
Recommended intervals between doses:
Ages 6 Months – 4 Years
Moderna Infant – 2 dose primary series*
Between doses 1 and 2 - 8 weeks (56 days)
Pfizer Infant – 3 dose primary series*
Between doses 1 and 2 - 8 weeks (56 days)
Between doses 2 and 3 - 8 weeks (56 days)
*Children who are moderately to severely immunocompromised will need an additional dose to complete their primary series. Moderna Infant is recommended. In this case, the following intervals apply:
- If receiving Moderna Infant, the time between the first and second dose is 4 weeks (28 days) and the time between the second and third dose is 8 weeks (56 days).
- If receiving Pfizer Infant, the time between the first and second dose is 4 weeks (28 days), second and third dose is 4 weeks (28 days), third and fourth dose is 8 weeks (56 days).
Please note: As the number of primary series doses differs for Pfizer Infant and Moderna Infant, children aged 6 months to 4 years should complete their primary series with the same type of vaccine.
Ages 5-11 years
Between primary series doses (1 and 2*)
8 weeks (56 days)
*Nova Scotians who are moderately to severely immunocompromised will need a third dose of vaccine to complete their primary series. In this case, the time between the first dose and second dose is 4 weeks (28 days) and the time between the second dose and third dose is 8 weeks (56 days).
Between end of primary series and booster
6 months (168 days)
Ages 12 Years and Up
Between primary series doses (1 and 2*)
8 weeks (56 days)
*Nova Scotians who are moderately to severely immunocompromised will need a third dose of vaccine to complete their primary series. In this case, the time between the first dose and second dose is 4 weeks (28 days) and the time between the second dose and third dose is 8 weeks (56 days).
Between primary series and booster/between booster doses
6 months (168 days)
COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
- Why Get Vaccinated?
- English (.pdf)
- En français (.pdf)
- COVID-19 Vaccines in Nova Scotia - 12 Years and Over
- English (.pdf)
- En français (.pdf)
- COVID-19 Vaccines in Nova Scotia - 6 Months – 4 Years and 5 – 11 Years
- English (.pdf)
- En français (.pdf)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Spring Dose Eligibility
- English (.pdf)
- En français (.pdf) – Coming Soon
Find additional COVID-19 resources here.
Frequently asked questions on COVID-19 vaccines
Available Vaccines and Eligibility
In Nova Scotia, anyone aged 6 months and older can receive COVID-19 vaccines for free. Eligibility is determined by age and other factors such as risk for severe COVID-19 disease. Vaccination with mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) is strongly recommended based on the real-world evidence showing that they work well and are safe.
Unless otherwise noted, people should complete their primary series with the same brand if possible, but should not delay vaccination if the same brand is not available.
Eligibility by Age
6 Months – 4 Years
Primary Series Only – Moderna Infant and Pfizer Infant
- Children aged 6 months to 4 years, should receive the same brand for the entire primary series, because the different brands require a different number of doses to complete the series.
- Moderna Infant is preferred for children aged 6 months to 4 years who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, because it requires fewer doses.
5 – 17
Primary series - Pfizer Original
Booster dose - Pfizer Bivalent
18+
Primary Series – Moderna and Pfizer Original
Next Dose – Moderna and Pfizer Bivalent recommended, Moderna and Pfizer Original available.
Additional Information for ages 5 - 29
People aged 5 to 29 are recommended to receive the Pfizer original vaccine for their primary series, as Pfizer original has a lower risk of a rare side effect called myocarditis and/or pericarditis compared to Moderna original in this age group.
People aged 5 to 29 who are moderately to severely immunocompromised may choose to receive the Moderna original vaccine as an alternative to Pfizer original for their primary series, because it may provide better protection.
Alternative Vaccines for People 18+
People aged 18 years and older are eligible to receive a Novavax COVID-19 vaccine when they are unable or prefer not to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
People aged 18 years and older are eligible to receive a Janssen COVID-19 vaccine when all other COVID-19 vaccines are contraindicated.
Book an appointment, or find pharmacies that offer Novavax and Janssen vaccines.
Vaccine Eligibility After COVID-19 Recovery
You may have some short-term post-infection immunity, however your immunity decreases as time goes on. Vaccination after infection (also known as hybrid immunity) helps improve the immune response and provides better and longer-lasting protection than infection or vaccination alone.
- If you had COVID-19 and require your primary series doses, you should wait at least 8 weeks (56 days) to get the vaccine.
- If you had COVID-19 and have completed your primary series, you should wait 6 months (168 days) to get your next dose.
How to access your COVID-19 vaccine proof of vaccination
If you have not received a digital record of your COVID-19 vaccine(s), you can access your COVID-19 proof of vaccination by visiting: novascotia.flow.canimmunize.ca/en/portal
If you are unable to access your record online, you can call 1-833-797-7772 to request that your proof of vaccination be mailed to you.
Allergies
A confirmed allergy to the COVID-19 vaccines is rare. If your health care provider has questions regarding allergies and COVID-19 vaccines s/he can contact an allergist.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) strongly recommends that people who are pregnant stay up-to-date on their mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Getting vaccinated at any point during your pregnancy helps protect you and your baby.
It is safe for you and your baby to be vaccinated while you are breastfeeding.
Immunosuppression or immunocompromised status
People who are immunocompromised (have a weak immune system) were not included in the trials testing COVID-19 vaccines. However, immunocompromised people have received Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines during the pandemic. There have not been any unique safety concerns raised about negative health effects from vaccine for immunocompromised people. If you're immunosuppressed from disease or treatment, you may have a reduced immune response to any COVID-19 vaccine.
Recent data suggests that people with an autoimmune condition and normal immune system have a similar response to a COVID-19 vaccine than people without these conditions. There have not been any unique safety concerns raised about negative health effects from vaccine for autoimmune individuals.
Immunosuppression, auto-immune disorders, pregnancy and breastfeeding are not contraindications to COVID-19 immunization.
Visit COVID-19 vaccine information for people who are immunocompromised for more information.
Medical Contraindications to COVID-19 vaccination
Medical contraindications against COVID-19 vaccines are limited in number, and include:
- a history of severe allergic reaction (e.g. anaphylaxis) after previous administration of a COVID-19 vaccine using a similar platform (mRNA or viral vector);
- an allergy to any component of the specific COVID-19 vaccine or its container [polyethylene glycol (PEG) for Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines];
- a history of major venous and/or arterial thrombosis with thrombocytopenia following vaccination with AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine;
- a history of capillary leak syndrome (CLS) following vaccination with AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
As a precaution, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends that people who experienced myocarditis and/or pericarditis after a first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) should wait to get their next dose of mRNA vaccine until more information is available.
If you have a history of myocarditis or pericarditis and are still being followed by a doctor for related heart issues, please follow up with your healthcare provider before receiving the vaccine.
Nova Scotians who are concerned about their personal medical history and the available mRNA vaccines should speak with their healthcare provider.
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as other vaccines
It is safe for people ages 6 months and over to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as another vaccine, or at any time before or after other vaccines. No waiting period is necessary.
